Development of simulation framework for shipbuilding

Abstract

Currently, product technologies, information technologies, and market requirements vary rapidly to realise high productivity and reduce cost, creating many problems in the manufacturing industries. In particular, shipbuilding industries face serious scheduling problems owing to their complexity. The existing simulation-based methodology for shipbuilding is limited in that no systematic analysis method exists and complex shipbuilding processes cannot be simulated. This paper proposes a modelling and simulation methodology that is expected to overcome this limitation. The proposed methodology can create shipbuilding simulation models through a systematic analysis and modelling procedure with a specific technical module, whereas the existing methodology only concentrates on the definition of the modelling and simulation procedure. The methodology is confirmed as an efficient tool for the evaluation of shipbuilding scheduling information through the development of simulation modelling for the shipbuilding fabrication process. Furthermore, a web-based simulation system that could be used in an actual planning department is developed with a server and client architecture.